CANADA - To expand and improve ocean and atmospheric data collection by fishing vessels, the World Ocean Council (WOC) is convening a workshop at the World Seafood Congress in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada, 30 September 3 October, 2013.

Representatives from the fishing industry, marine technology/instrumentation, IT/communications, national and international oceanographic/meteorological organizations, existing voluntary observation programs, and scientific/research organizations are invited to consider participating, proposing a presentation and providing information for the workshop.

The fishing industry can contribute to the understanding, health and management of marine ecosystems by collecting ocean, weather and climate data that contributes to describing the status, trends and variability of ocean, weather and atmosphere conditions and – importantly – which improves the understanding, modeling and forecasting of ocean ecosystems.

The half-day Smart Fishing Vessels workshop runs from 0900–1200 on 29 September, 2013 in St. John’s, Newfoundland as one of the pre-conference events of the World Seafood Congress.

To get involved in the WOC Smart Fishing Vessels workshop, please contact paul.holthus@oceancouncil.org.